Lawrence William Newman

Lawrence W. Newman, born July 3, 1940 in Waynesboro, Georgia, son of the late John E. and Irene (Padgett) Newman, departed this life, Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at his home in Salem, Arkansas at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 4 days.

Lawrence was united in marriage on September 17, 1966 to Juanita Wheeler in French Camp, Mississippi and to this union four children were born, Faith, Joy, Stephen and Grace. Lawrence spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Growing up in a large family, Lawrence always had plenty of work. He worked in the cotton fields, raised bait and worked in scrap iron as a kid. As a young man, he worked in a factory and as a machinist until he went to the mission field. Lawrence worked in the mission field in Papua, New Guinea with New Tribes Mission. While in Papua, he helped build an air strip and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When he arrived back in the states, he worked at the shirt factory, nursing home and was a janitor for Salem School District. Lawrence was a member of Salem First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and at various times a Sunday School teacher.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Juanita of the home; three daughters, Faith Polson and husband David of Gardner, Kansas, Joy Newman of Flagstaff, Arizona and Grace Newman of Salem, Arkansas; one son, Stephen Newman of Salem, Arkansas; three grandsons, Noah, Jonah and Moses Polson; three sisters, Beatrice N. Doyle and husband Marion of Sylvania, Georgia, Mary N. Edenfield and husband Glen of Dawsonville, Georgia and Johnnie Lorenz and husband Gene of Macon, Georgia; one brother, Harold Newman of Geneva, Alabama and many nieces and nephews.

Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Irene (Padgett) Newman; two brothers, Ralph Willard Newman and Gerald Everitt Newman and three sisters, Genevieve Newman, Bertha V. O’Rourke and Connie N. Jordan.

Pallbearers include: Deacons, Jason Miller, Joshua Smithee, George Thomas, Tom Romine and Rob Long and Youth Pastor, Luke Humphries.

Honorary Pallbearers include: Deacons, Bob Coleman, Rick Cowart, Larry Turner, Barton Teague and Glen Lane and Sunday School Teacher, Gaines Arnold.

Funeral services will be held, Friday, March 10, 2017 beginning at 2:00 PM at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. John Hodges officiating. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be held, Thursday, March 9, 2017, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Doty Family Funeral Service Chapel, 140 N. Pickren St., Salem, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Salem First Baptist Church, PO Box 737, Salem, Arkansas 72576.

Arrangements entrusted to Doty Family Funeral Service of Salem, Arkansas.